Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a National Security Council aide who testified against President Trump during the impeachment inquiry, has been removed from his White House job.On Friday afternoon, Vindman was escorted out of the White House, his lawyer said, a dismissal that came as Trump continue to rage against the attempt to remove him from office.“There is no question in the mind of any American why this man’s job is over, why this country now has one less soldier serving it at the White House,” David Pressman, Vindman’s attorney said in a statement. “LTC Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth. His honor, his commitment to right, frightened the powerful.”
If only he had committed war crimes, Trump would be celebrating him.
* Maggie Koerth explains why you’ll never know who was electable until after the election is over and someone got elected.
* Joan Walsh argues that the media’s coverage of the presidential race is erasing Elizabeth Warren, and asks why.
* Paul Brandus looks at just how unconstrained Trump has truly become.
* Michelle Goldberg lays out all the reasons to be worried about the state of the Democratic nominating contest.
* David Dayen offers a comprehensive indictment of the Democratic establishment, and calls for Tom Perez to step down as chair of the DNC.
* David Roberts explains how the next president can force Wall Street to take climate change seriously.
* Mark Schmitt warns that the next Democratic president needs to prepare for, and try to avoid, the backlash most recent presidents have suffered.
* Harold Pollack and Samuel Bagenstos say there’s an emerging consensus from the Democratic candidates about disability and long-term care.
* And Vicky Ward inspects some fun new pictures and videos from Lev Parnas’ phone.